Patent GB-814053-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in apparatus for translating a multi-coordinate display into binary information
IPC: G05B19/42
Filed: 1957-05-27
Abstract: 814,053. Electric selective signalling systems. GENERAL ELECTRIC CO. May 27, 1957 [May 28, 1956], No. 16722/57. Class 40 (1). Apparatus is arranged to transmit in binary form selected co-ordinate positions in a multico-ordinate display. As shown, Fig. 1, a platform 101 has holes 102 arranged to form a 0.1 inch rectangular grid, the hole 105 being the origin for this grid. A stylus 106 is mounted on a carrier 110 movable parallel to the edge 103 of a bar 107 carrying a binary scale 109 formed by the presence or absence of small depressions which are arranged for co-operation with switches 403, Fig. 4, the state of these switches thus providing a representation of the distance of the stylus 106 from the edge 104. The bar 107 slides over a similar binary scale 108 cooperating with switches 402, Fig. 4, for the other co-ordinate. A programmer 113 co-ordinates the information from the switches and from an operation selector 114 which selects a required operation such as hole size in a punch and the result passes to output apparatus- 116. In operation the stylus 106 is moved to a new position for each co-ordinate, tripping switches 420, 421 making momentary contact as the stylus is moved, to energize relays 425, 427 which hold. When the stylus is at its desired position it is depressed to pierce a drawing which may cover the platform 101 and enter a hole to close contacts 430, thus energizing the coil 431 to hold the stylus depressed until the end of a cycle, and a solenoid 432 to permit rotation of a single rotation clutch for one revolution by a motor 417, thus driving cams 405-413. The output terminals 440-447 are stated to supply a tape punch. If the relay 425 is energized, indicating movement along the X-axis 104, cam section 406 closes its contacts to supply power to energize the relay 450 which sends an " X-address " signal by energizing all the @ terminals 440-447 except 441. Closure of the contacts of cam 407 energizes a relay 455, thereby energizing the output terminals 440-447 in accordance with the switches 402 which represent the X-co-ordinate value. Closure of the contacts of cam 408 energizes a relay 470 to punch a " Y-address '' signal if the relay 427 corresponding to this axis is energized, and the Y-co-ordinate value is then transmitted. The switches 404 are set to give a binary representation of the state of the operation selector 114, for example if a number 5 punch is to be used, the switches 404 are set to represent the number 5. The relay 485 controlled through contacts of cam 410 is arranged to pass signals representing the type of information that is to follow. This information is transferred to the tape on closure of the contacts of cam 411. Closure of the contacts of the cam 412 energizes a relay 486 to pass a signal representing completion of a cycle, the signal being energization of all the terminals 440-447. The cam 413 finally de-energizes the relays 425, 427, 428 and releases the stylus 106 which moves up to de-energize the relay 433, thereby resetting the apparatus,. Further rotation is prevented when the catch 415 latches the clutch disc 414. For the binary scales 108, 109, Fig. 1, brush contacts co-operating with printed circuits may replace the switches with a mechanically movable actuating arm co-operating with depressions. The Gray code may be used instead of the conventional binary code. The operations performed by the relays 450, 470, 485 may be omitted. Other grid spacings and co-ordinate systems may be employed.